Winter is almost over and fresh air and open windows are on the horizon! If your house is on the market or will be soon, now is a great time to do some spring cleaning. While it may seem silly to perform this task when you will hopefully be moving soon, it is essential when selling your home. Showing a sparkling clean home helps to properly showcase all the value your home has. Value can be diminished when your home appears dirty and messy. In order to show your home at its best, maintain a clean and neat home while it is on the market.

Get Down and Dirty

It’s time to clean all the nitty-gritty things that you haven’t cleaned since you moved into your home. Washing baseboards, removing air registers and cleaning vents, dust those ceiling fans, and thoroughly wash things that get touched daily like light switches and doorknobs. By cleaning these things that may get overlooked during regular cleaning, your home will appear newer and show better. Having a clean home may be the deciding factor for a buyer to decide on one home over another.

Spring Brings More Sunlight

Time to clean those windows and let the sunshine in! The last thing a potential buyerwants to see is dirty windows or drapery. Wash all window coverings and dust all blind. Be sure to get all the windows inside and out. Don’t forget to open your windows and even wipe all the dirt and pollen from the exterior window sill. Keep in mind that with more sunlight, it easier to see dust inside the home so make sure you do a thorough dusting as well.

Don’t Forget the Outside

You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one. Be sure to clean up the outside of your home as well as the inside. Not many buyers will be interested in the interior of your home if the exterior appears unkempt. Clean up garden edges, trim bushes so they are out of the walkway, look at your front door and shutters to see if they need a fresh coat of paint, and pressure wash any parts of your home that look dingy. A fresh clean exterior is a welcoming sight for potential buyers.

Declutter

While having a clean home is important, it can be very helpful for buyers to imagine themselves in your home when it is not filled with personal items. During your spring cleaning, consider storing some stuff away. Decluttered rooms not only appear cleaner, it helps to make them appear larger as well. Don’t forget to pay attention to cabinets and closets for this as well. Closets that are jam-packed and cabinets that are messy don’t show well and reduce the value of your home. Even though it may not be something you keep up day to day, when you know your home is going to be shown, straighten up those pantries and cabinets.

A Clean Home Sells

The last thing a potential buyer wants to buy is a dirty home. Messy cabinets, full closets, and a general cluttered appearance are a real turn off for buyers. People don’t want to buy a home that they think they are going to have to hire a professional cleaning company to clean before they move in. A clean home is a valuable home.

We are pleased to announce the merger of Citta & Moffitt Realtors with Birchler Realtors!  Based in Seaside Park, Citta & Moffitt Realtors has over 65 years of real estate experience in Ocean County and we are so pleased to have them join our team.   If you have a favorite agent in either office you don’t have to worry because all the staffing will remain the same.  By joining forces, our goal is to provide our customers with a larger pool of available properties while keeping all the friendly faces you are familiar with.

We are excited to welcome Citta & Moffitt to the Birchler family!

We’ve all heard the news.  It’s going to be a long winter.  Whether you enjoy the cold and snow or not, the list of available activities in the winter goes significantly down, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do.  There is actually a lot to do in Ocean County and we’ve started a list of places to go, things to do, and events to check out this winter.

Ice skating

Ice skating can be fun for the whole family and there are quite a few places around where you can go.

• Ocean Ice Palace: https://www.oceanhockey.com/ocean-ice-palace/
• Winding River Skating Center: http://tomsriver.org/skating
• Howell Ice Arena: https://www.howellicearena.com/

Parks Programs

Even though it’s cold outside, there is still so much to enjoy outdoors in Ocean County.

• The Ocean County Parks and Recreation has a great list of things to do here: http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/WebContentFiles/4290a9e4-7f37-4411-a11b-e8ff8983fafa.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1Cn6LoKdPGJYQMs4ksg9I59cMwot4ona4Qqb9o7DohydaQKA0qoc-6vr8

Enjoy the Arts

While some may find museums and are galleries boring, we think that if you expand your definition of a museum, you can find some really fun places to go.

• Insectopolis: Have little ones at home that love bugs?  This is the place for you!  http://www.insectropolis.com/
• Robert J. Novins Planetarium: Not just for space junkies anymore.  The planetarium shows movies, has laser shows, kid-themed events, and much, much more.  https://www.ocean.edu/planetarium/
• Ocean County Artists Guild: Showcasing 2 artists from Ocean County every month, a free trip here helps support the local arts.  https://www.ocartistsguild.org/
• John F. Peto Museum: As described on their website: “To promote the legacy of John F. Peto, internationally renowned artist, by maintaining his home and studio as a working museum, by fostering educational opportunities in the arts and partnering with the larger community”.  https://petomuseum.org/
• Exit 82 Theatre Company:  A non-profit performing arts organization, they have comedy shows, parent’s night out events, and of course lots of wonderful productions.  https://www.exit82theatre.com/
• Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts: Located on the campus of OCC, this center is dedicated to giving Ocean County access to lots of great arts and entertainment.  http://www.grunincenter.org/

Outside the box

• Laser Tag:  Fun for the whole family in this 2-story arena.  Looking to get rid of some extra energy when cabin fever sets in, laser tag is a great way to empty that energy tank.  http://www.bounceaboutlasertag.com/
• Escape Rooms – There are quite a few in the area and every room is different so you can visit multiple times and get a new experience every time.
  • East Coast Escape Room: https://www.eastcoastescaperoom.com/
  • Amazing Escape Room: https://amazingescaperoom.com/
  • Solve the Room: https://www.solvetheroomnj.com/
  • Solve it Sherlock Escape Room: http://solveitsherlockescape.com/
  • Escape AC: https://escapeac.com/
• Rage room – This one is just for the adults!  While laser tag may be enough for the young ones to get rid of extra energy, the rage room allows adults to really let loose, have fun, and destroy some stuff!  You can even bring your own things!  https://www.rageroom.today/
• Axe throwing:  Another fun activity for adults.  Grab some friends and go throw some axes!
  • Bury the Hatchet: https://burythehatchet.com/axe-throwing-toms-river-nj/
  • Tomahawkin: https://www.tomahawkinaxe.com/
  • Axeit 63: https://axeit63.com/
  • Down the Hatchet: https://downthehatchetnj.com/

No matter the age, reason, or price range, there is always something to do if you look hard enough.  We hope we’ve given you some ideas of ways to pass the time this winter.

Owners title insurance is intended to protect a new home buyer from monetary loss due to issues with the title not found prior to the sale of the home. Not all problems with titles are easy to find and/or identify, so title insurance protects you from claims made against the home or property having to do with anything before the completion of the sale of the home. Examples could be unpaid taxes by the previous owner or contractors trying to collect on monies owed for work done on the home preceding the sale.

There are two types of title insurance. Lenders title insurance and owners title insurance. Lenders title insurance is intended to protect the money the lender is mortgaging, not the owner or the owner’s money, from any legal issues that should have prevented the current owner from transferring the title of ownership rights. Lenders title insurance does not protect the buyer from anything. The only thing it does do for the purchaser is ensure that a title search was done. While a title search does offer the buyer some assurance, it does not protect them from being sued or being evicted from the home if something does surface later on. A title search is a review of public records to evaluate and verify legal ownership of the property and to look for any liens against the property.

While owners title insurance is not required in New Jersey and can be purchased after the sale of the home is complete, it is highly recommended to purchase it at the time of closing. It is commonly less expensive to purchase the title insurance before the sale is final versus after. It is a one-time purchase and is not something that ever needs to be refreshed or reevaluated. The cost of the insurance is based on the price of the property.

There are big risks that come along with choosing NOT to get owners title insurance. As previously stated, if it should be found out after the sale of the property is complete, that the previous owner owed back taxes on the property and the new buyer declined to get owners title insurance, the new owner will be taking on the financial burden of those taxes owed. A buyer also runs the risk of losing their new home if it is found that the original seller did not have the legal right to sell the property in the first place. While uncommon, it does happen and the only way to protect yourself is by purchasing owners title insurance.

Items that owners title insurance typically covers can include, but is not limited to:

• Legal ownership by someone other than the seller
• Fraud on documents having to do with the property
• Clerical errors in filing or recording paperwork for the property
• Outstanding liens or lawsuits
• Undocumented easements

Those are just a select few items that owners title insurance can protect you from and this article really only grazes the topic of owners title insurance. We hope this has helped make understanding it a little easier, but all of our agents are always here to help.  Be sure to  contact us anytime and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this or any topic having to do with real estate!

As October begins and fall is in full swing, it’s a good time to revisit your real estate listing.  Spring and summer tend to be the “on” seasons for real estate and many listings can see a real decline in traffic both online and in person when summer comes to an end.  Here’s some tips to scare up some new traffic for your listing this October.

1. Curb appeal – When the seasons change, the landscape should too. Clear out the summer flowers that are starting to wilt and replace them with fall flowers.  New colors, a fresh autumn themed wreath on the door, and new fall themed welcome mat can really improve the overall presence of the home. Just make sure the landscape doesn’t look barren.  Mums are a cheap and easy way to add some pop to the entryway without much effort.  A few well-placed planters make a front door look very warm and inviting.
2. Interior Design – Whether the seller is in the home or out, if the home is for rent or for sale, sometimes a new floor plan can change everything. Rearranging the furniture can give a room a whole new look and can also make a room appear larger.  Review all the rooms during different times of day now that the sunrise and sunset times are different.  Maybe add some more lamps or change where they are in the rooms to optimize the lighting in each room.  Since a lot of potential buyers are busy with work during the days and often are viewing homes in the evenings, you want to make sure each and every room is lit adequately.  Evaluate the paint colors too.  Sometimes a fresh coat of paint can really bring a room back to life.  Once all the changes have been made, it’s time to go to step three and take new photos for the listing.
3. Freshen up the photos and video(s)- Whether you have a portfolio of photos on hand or need to take new ones, refresh your online presence with new pictures and videos. Once the gardens and landscape have transitioned to a fall décor, take new pictures and either add them to the gallery or replace the spring and summer versions.  Whether the walls have gotten a fresh coat of paint or just something as simple as having replaced the throw pillows, updating the interior photos can liven up a stale listing.
4. Reevaluate the price – This would only come into play if the listing has been on the market for a period of time, but if it has, it may be time to rethink the numbers. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference and all it takes is the right person to view the listing to get it sold or rented.

Now that summer has fully transitioned to fall, don’t let your listing cool off with the temperature.  Take some time to freshen up the home and revive the interest in the listing.  Sometimes the smallest updates can make the biggest differences in catching someone’s eye.

You’re getting ready to plan your summer vacation in Seaside Park.  You know a general idea of where you want to go, but what you really need is the perfect place to stay.  While hotel stays have their advantages, renting a home is becoming more and more popular for good reason.  Spending your vacation in a home can be less stressful, more private, and more relaxing.  There’s a lot of things to consider when trying to find the perfect summer rental and we’ll review some of them here.

When are you going –  It’s best to try and book your rental as soon as possible.  As soon as you know when you’re planning on going, start looking. It’s helpful to be a little flexible on timing when you’re looking for a rental home versus a hotel.  Each home can only be occupied by 1 family at a time, so it may not be as easy to find availability if you are locked in to one certain week.  Also, some property managers will offer early booking discounts for the relief of knowing their property is rented, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Location, location, location – This goes without saying, but we’re gonna say it anyway!  Don’t just zero in on the property itself, but look at what’s around.  Are you planning on spending all day, every day on the beach?  You might want to spend a little extra on a beachfront home.  Looking instead for just a quiet place to relax?  Make sure the rental is not next door to the boardwalk or arcade.  What if (gasp) it rains while you’re on vacation?  What is there to do?  Know what you want and make sure the rental ticks all the right boxes.

Who’s coming – Is this a quiet week away with just you and your partner?  Maybe you don’t need the 5-bedroom rental.  Are you bringing pets?  Make sure pets are allowed and ask about any additional fees or rules that go along with that.  Are there kids coming?  If you have young ones, you should find out if there are baby gates available for stairways and find out where all the bedrooms are.  You may not want the kids on the first floor and yourself on the third.  Have someone coming that has physical limitations?  The 3-story house may not be right for you, but the sprawling ranch with handicap accessible ramps might be.

What exactly are you renting and who are you renting it from – Do your research about the property itself, as well as the property manager.  Important things to take note of would be making sure the property is well maintained, finding out if there is free WiFi available, knowing if toiletries and/or linens included, and asking if there are cameras on the property, and if there are, where they are located.  It is important to look into the owner as well.  Do your due diligence here and read all the reviews available.  Many travel sites allow previous renters to leave reviews of the property and the property owners so make sure you know what and who you are dealing with.  Speak with the manager prior to booking your rental and if you have any doubts about it, it’s probably best to keep looking.

Read the fine print – When you sign a rental agreement, you are signing a contract.  Read the fine print and know what you are responsible for.  Are you responsible for doing the dishes and washing the linens before you leave?  What sorts of things may have your security deposit refund revoked?  Is the property manager available in case something breaks during your stay?  Make sure you read the entire rental agreement so that there is no question as to who is responsible for what.  This will help make sure you are protected from frivolous fees and avoid any stress while you’re on vacation.

Our staff is always here to help and we’ll be happy to help you find your perfect home away from home in Seaside Park!

It’s common knowledge that selling a home during the winter months is difficult, and it’s easy to understand why. People are busy with the holidays, the weather keeps people indoors, and no one is excited at the prospect of having to move during the winter.

All of this is doubly true when you’re talking about properties at the Jersey Shore. This is a summer-focused area, and the appeal of many of the properties we deal with lies in their potential as a place to be during the summer. Beach access. Water access. And so on.

But that doesn’t mean homes don’t sell during the winter. They do. You just need to keep a few things in mind to stand out. Here are five things that will help:

Clean the Yard

Appearance is even more important during the winter months than usual. You don’t have pleasant weather and sunny days to help add visual appeal to your home. Instead, you have to combat dreary weather and overcast skies.

This is why it’s essential to do a good exterior cleanup going into the winter months. Ensure any fallen leaves are raked and removed. Do one final round of weeding before the weather gets cold. Remove dead branches and other debris. And finally, give your gardens a layer of fresh mulch so they look crisp and new.

These small efforts might take you a Saturday, but the curbside appeal they will add during those down winter months is priceless.

Welcome the Sunlight

As we mentioned above, the winter months can be dim and dreary. Combat that by embracing whatever natural sunlight you can get in your home. When showing the property, have your blinds up and curtains wide open. Let the natural light pour in.

Also consider replacing any dim lightbulbs with bright, white LED bulbs. Doing these two things will make the house feel larger, more welcoming, and more inviting, all good traits when you are trying to sell your home.

Keep the House Warm

We know you’d prefer not to spend money on utilities for a house you may not even be living in anymore, but during the winter one of the uphill battles when trying to sell a home is just getting people to go out in the wet and cold.

Once they do, greeting them with a nice, warm house is an ideal way to instantly make them feel comfortable. It’s a subtle psychological effect that can really make your property feel more welcome. It’s not necessary to keep the heat on full blast all the time, either, just ensure it’s set to a nice warm temperature the day before anyone comes to view it.

Skip the Seasonal Décor

Decorations for Christmas, Halloween, and other seasonal holidays can be a lot of fun, but avoid them on a property you have on the market. They’ll prove to be a distraction when potential buyers are looking at the house.

More importantly, they set a person’s impression of your house to a specific time of year and get in the way of them imagining themselves there. You want your property to be a clean slate. Potential buyers should be able to walk in and imagine themselves in that space, including their own seasonal decorations. Avoid things that can get in the way of that.

Showcase Winter Amenities

For the most part, when you’re showing properties at the shore, potential buyers want to know about summer living: how close is the beach? Is the house on the water? Does it have a good backyard for summer gatherings? How far away is the Parkway? And so on.

But if you’re showing the house in the winter, that warm fireplace, cozy breakfast nook, or insulated garage space will seem far more inviting than at any other time of year. Take advantage of that. Highlight those features in addition to the summer amenities. It will make the property seem that much more attractive.

Selling your home during the winter can be tough, but it’s far from impossible.

To learn more about how we can help, contact us today!